Want to raise your profile in the promotional merchandise industry?

The BPMA Emerging Talent & Recognition Awards celebrate individuals making a real impact—whether they’re at the beginning of their careers or established professionals shaping our sector. 

With two categories – Emerging Talent and Recognition – the awards offer members a chance to nominate themselves or others for outstanding contribution, innovation or influence. 

This is your opportunity to shine, share your story, and raise your profile across the industry. 

What’s new for 2026

Returning for a second year, these awards are designed to spotlight both up-and-coming professionals and long-standing contributors across the promotional merchandise sector. Following a review of last year’s awards, we have evolved criteria to ensure we better recognise the breadth of talent across our industry.

Previously, the Emerging Talent category covered 0–3 years and the Recognition Award was limited to those with 10+ years in the industry—meaning many valued peers fell outside the criteria. For 2026, we have expanded this to 0–5 years for the Emerging Talent Award and 5+ years for the Recognition Award, ensuring more individuals can be celebrated for their contributions.

Emerging Talent

Open to individuals who have been in their current industry company role for up to 5 years.

Recognition

Celebrating individuals who have been in the industry for over 5 years and have made a significant positive contribution.

Who can Enter

These awards are not just about recognising front-facing roles—they are an opportunity to shine a light on the many individuals working behind the scenes who help drive our industry forward.

From production, fulfilment, and decoration teams to marketing, HR, compliance, customer service, and operational roles, we encourage nominations from across all departments within BPMA member distributors and suppliers.

This is your chance to highlight those whose work may not always be visible but is essential to success.

How to Enter

You may nominate yourself, a colleague or industry peer and there is no restriction on how many nominations you can submit. However, please do not nominate the same person more than once or in both categories.

To nominate for the Emerging Talent Award 2026, please click the button below and follow the form instructions:

To nominate for the Recognition Award 2026, please click the button below and follow the form instructions:

What Winners Receive

Award Winners will receive:

Both Winners and Shortlisted nominees will receive:

  • A digital badge to share across personal and company social channels

  • A featured profile in Merch Magazine and be highlighted across BPMA member communications

Winning a BPMA award is a mark of excellence and recognition from across the industry.

Key Dates

  • Entries Open: 1st July 2026
  • Entres Close: 31st August 2026
  • Shortlist Announced: October 2026
  • Winners Announced: 10th December 2026 at the BPMA Christmas Lunch featuring the Product Awards 2026

Judging Process

All entries will be reviewed by an independent judging panel which includes BPMA board members. Shortlisted entrants will be invited to a remote interview with the judging panel. There may be more than one winner per category if the judging panel sees fit.

The BPMA reserves the right to move entries between categories where appropriate.

Still have questions?

Please reach out to awards@bpma.co.uk if you have any questions or need any support completing your nomination.

Let’s celebrate the people who make our industry exceptional.